Dominance is a word that's been bandied around the dog industry for years. Back in the day, it was widely accepted as a dog training theory because we didn't know any better. However, modern science has proven that explaining dog and wolf behaviours using the dominance theory is simply incorrect. Still, there are dog handlers out there who cling to this erroneous, archaic and potentially abusive theory. More recently, the dominance theory has made resurgence with the introduction of pop culture television shows depicting dangerous training methods that use this theory to explain canine psychology. These shows have spawned a new crop of both dominance trainers and balanced trainers (who use both reinforcement and punishment). Lets be perfectly clear – at present time, the leading and most respected canine behaviourists and scientists worldwide are united in the opinion that the dominance theory is in actuality a myth, grossly misguided and a misinterpretation of canine motivation. It's safe to say, it's the dirty little lie of the dog industry. Actually, it's a great big lie.

If it's not dominance, what explains the challenges we face when raising and training our dogs? What makes our dogs rush out the door ahead of us? What makes them ignore our cues for something more interesting? What makes them demand our food or attention? What makes them guard and defend their food or favourite toy?​Like every living thing on our planet, people included, it comes down to resources but more specifically – the survival instinct to control them. This instinct spans the entire animal kingdom and dogs are no different because: resources = life. A dog that’s able to control valued resources such as: food, water and shelter is more likely to survive should the need arise, than one that is not. When a dog’s guardian controls everything, he or she is the most valued resource of all, which explains why some dogs try to control their humans. These challenges are not about dominance – they’re about resource control. So if youcan control the resources, you can control the dog – it’s that simple.